Assemblyman David Wolfe and Assemblyman James Holzapfel today expressed grave concern about a plan to divert $9 million from the Shore Protection Fund to keep state parks operating as a result of a budget deal negotiated behind closed doors between Governor Jon Corzine and Democrat leadership.
“New Jersey’s crown jewel is its 127 miles of coastline from Sandy Hook to Cape May,” said Wolfe, R-Ocean and Monmouth. “Only Trenton politicians would have the audacity to gamble with shore protection funding which is vital to the protection of our shore residents, beaches and property. Governor Corzine and his Democrat friends ought to confine their gambling to Atlantic City’s casinos.”
The Press of Atlantic City reported today that as part of a $32.8 billion budget agreement reached Monday by Corzine and Senate and Assembly Democrat leaders, $9 million will be taken from the Shore Protection Fund and used to keep state parks open. Instead of cutting wasteful spending, Corzine threatened to close nine state parks this summer as part of his budget proposal.
The Shore Protection Fund, which is used for beach replenishment projects, receives $25 million each year from the state’s realty-transfer tax. To discourage legislators from siphoning money from the fund, the tax has a provision that states if the fund drops below $25 million, the state will be prevented from collecting it.
State Senator Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic, said there is more than $40 million in the fund’s coffers and that he is “comfortable” with taking the money for the parks.
“Mr. Van Drew may be ‘comfortable’ with taking that money, but I’m not,” stated Holzapfel, R-Ocean and Monmouth. “There’s too much at stake here. It’s much too risky. And we well know from experience that despite claims to the contrary, once Trenton politicians stick their hands into a particular pot of money, it will never be replaced. This is classic Democrat policy – take from Peter to pay Paul. Their new budget deal is more of the same shell game we have seen year after year.”
New Jersey’s tourism industry generated nearly $40 billion in 2007, including $3.3 billion in Ocean County and $1.9 billion in Monmouth County.
The two 10th legislative district lawmakers said its obvious Governor Corzine did not incorporate any of the Republican’s budget alternatives into the new budget.
“Had the governor given our proposal serious consideration and implemented our plan, we wouldn’t be having this discussion today,” said Wolfe. “Our state parks would remain open without the need to raid our shore protection monies.”
Senate and Assembly Republicans recently unveiled a plan to reprioritize $1.32 billion in unnecessary spending from the governor’s budget proposal and to use those changes in priorities to restore property tax relief, charity care, college student funding and to finance transportation needs without tax or toll hikes.
The plan, a comprehensive approach designed to make life in New Jersey more affordable for struggling families while holding government more accountable, also includes a series of long-term structural reforms to the state budget, reforms to the state pension and benefits system, and an aggressive economic development agenda to create jobs and revitalize New Jersey.
Short Link to this Post:
http://bit.ly/zSgCB8
Recommended Posts:
Similar Posts:
- Beck: “TTF Debt Crisis Is a Time Bomb Set by Democrats”
April 24, 2012 - Bateman: Democrats Pass Unrealistic Budget, Threatening Future Prosperity
June 29, 2011 - Oroho: Democrat Budget a Concern for New Jersey’s Future
June 28, 2011 - Beck’s Green Acres Bill to Also Help Protect Waterways
June 9, 2011 - Kyrillos: “Is it Ever Enough for Trenton Democrats?”
July 12, 2011
